This is The Guardian.

Hi, it's Lucy Hoff here.

Just to let you know that this edition of today in focus was recorded before the shocking terrorist attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

But we will be bringing you the latest on this in our afternoon edition.

And you can, of of course read live updates at

the Guardian online throughout the day.

Today, how East Asian culture conquered modern childhood.

You guys look fantastic. I look like a floating head in the darkness, which is what I am right now, actually.

It's atmospheric.

Yeah. All right. I think we're good. I think we're good. Let's go ahead and... Jeff Yang is a journalist and the author of a pop history of Asian America.

He's in Hong Kong when we speak on video call, and he is a foremost expert on the region.

So naturally, my first question is about one of the most inescapable trends of 2025.

Can you start by telling me about Labuboos?

Of course.

La Booboo.

We call her Laboooooooo.

Ooh, my friends are like Laboooo.

The soft-bodied, vinyl-faced fluffball, taking the market by...

Labuboos are these odd-shaped troll doll type creatures.

So, Erica, it's hello everyone. It's me and Amber here today on boxing loboos.

A real Labubu? I wonder which one's inside.

With quirky expressions on their faces.

...